Perspective: 2023 – A Turning Point In Marin Housing

Housing is #1 priority for Marin residents
2023 was a very busy year for housing, and so for MEHC. The housing crisis in California continues to worsen; we have responded. We strengthened programs and introduced new strategies. We are working hard to build relationships throughout the County. Importantly, more and more Marin residents are understanding the need to act. A recent Marin County poll identified housing as the #1 priority for local governments to address (see IJ article.). This is a radical change in Marin priorities, and we want to help Marin achieve this. 
Housing wins!  
We enjoyed some housing wins this year. Keep up to date on our Project Page. 
Vivalon: Vivalon’s grand opening celebration will be in January 2024, and residents have started moving in. 
1251 S. Eliseo: This Project Homekey development is open and operational, serving up to 43 formerly homeless individuals. 
Project process. Projects that MEHC endorses have moved forward in the approval process, including:
1 Hamilton – 45 affordable units in Mill Valley.
1515 4th Street – 162 unit apartment building in San Rafael, with 13 affordable units.
Oak Hill – 250 units, all affordable, including 135 for educators, in unincorporated Marin near Larkspur.
Magnolia Village – 20 unit Townhome project in Larkspur with 4 affordable units. 
Richardson Terrace – 25 unit mixed-use development in Mill Valley. Includes 6 affordable units. 
Legislative wins. MEHC supported SB 423 (the renewal of SB 35 – streamlined approval for housing projects with an affordable housing component for counties, cities and towns that don’t meet their Housing Element goals) and ACA 1 (voter initiative to allow affordable housing bonds to pass with a 55% majority). 
Tenant protections and anti-displacement measures. The fight is not over, but stronger anti-displacement measures were passed in several Marin jurisdictions, including Fairfax and Larkspur.  
Housing Element Advocacy  

Every 8 years, each local city and county government in California must update its Housing Element (a state mandated section of the general plan) and have it certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). MEHC is closely monitoring Marin County housing elements, which were due January 31, 2023. To date, only 5 jurisdictions have been approved. We have  commented on all the housing elements, and advocated for stronger rezonings, inclusion of parcels with high likelihoods of development, streamlining housing permitting processes, and stronger tenant protections. As more housing elements are approved, we are shifting our attention to overseeing implementation. For the latest on Marin Housing Elements, visit our Housing Element Page. 
MEHC recognized as Marin housing experts  
Recognition of MEHC’s expertise is growing. City staff, elected officials, developers and other non-profits trust MEHC’s analysis and input into Marin housing issues. MEHC continues to build relationships throughout the County by meeting with City staff and elected officials and other non-profits, including Canal Alliance, MOC, Legal Aid, League of Women Voters, and Marin Conservation League. Here are  just a few examples where MEHC’s research and analysis were relied upon:
MEHC analysis quoted in Grand Jury Report.
MEHC Board Chair requested to moderate Canal Alliance’s “Building Bridges” event.
MEHC quoted in numerous articles on housing in Marin, including The Ark, Marin IJ, SF Chronicle
Marin Voice: Marin Valley Needs Affordable Housing Now Where It Fits and Housing Elements Need to get Serious About Senior Citizens. 
Perspective newsletter  
Every month or so, we take a deep dive into a local housing issue with our Perspective newsletter. If you missed it the first time, here’s what we published: 
Marin Needs Housing to Serve Its Aging Population. Marin’s population is aging rapidly. We don’t have the housing we need to accommodate it. 
Tenant Protections and Jurisdictions Responses. Why MEHC believes that anti-displacement measures are necessary.
A Tour of Affordable Housing Projects. Affordable Housing doesn’t “harm” our neighborhoods. They are a critical part of the neighborhood. 
Housing Element Tracker. A review of the 5th Cycle of the Housing Cycle results, and update on Marin jurisdiction status. Marin now has five jurisdictions with certified housing elements (see Housing Element Advocacy above). HCD is currently reviewing the proposed elements for Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross and San Anselmo.
Paving Over Paradise. How unnecessarily high demands for parking makes affordable housing more expensive and harder to build. 
Why MEHC is interested in helping to build a housing coalition. More affordable housing is actually popular in Marin. Working together we can strengthen our voices. 
Why is Marin So White? Our policy choices have created segregation. Better choices can diversify our communities.
Changes in the MEHC organization – 2023 was also a big year for the MEHC organization. 
Here are some of the big ones:
Bob Pendoley retired as Board Chair. MEHC is incredibly grateful for Bob’s years of service and wise leadership. He has helped MEHC earn a reputation as a trusted source of affordable housing analysis in Marin County. Jenny Silva accepted the position of Board Chair. She is honored to have the trust of the board to further Bob’s legacy. We welcomed two fabulous new board members, Claire McAuliffe, former mayor of Belvedere and Aaron Burnett, Director of Policy and Civic Engagement for Canal Alliance. Our new board members have brought new energy and fresh ideas to the organization. Lisel Blash, our previous Housing Specialist, won a seat on the Fairfax City Council. Carmela Davis, a Marin native, is our new housing specialist. She produces our Coming Up weekly newsletter and updates our website. Kiki La Porta, former board member, continues as our communications consultant and designer. In addition to producing our monthly Perspective deep-dive newsletter, she refreshed the look and feel for our weekly Coming Up and our Action Alerts.

We relaunched our website as the Housing Hub, with all the housing information in Marin. Marinmehc.org now includes a calendar of upcoming meetings, housing news, and a list of projects with an affordable component. Have something for the website? Email Carmela.
Coming up in 2024   
Of course, you can count on MEHC to continue to advocate for good housing projects and policies. In addition, we have a few more items we are planning on for 2024.
Bay Area Housing for All bonds (BAHA) expected on the ballot. This is an important potential source of funding for affordable housing in Marin. 
Further Coalition Building. The work to build a strong and effective housing coalition in Marin has just begun. Expect more coordination across pro-housing organizations. 
Educational sessions to address community resistance to housing. Many Marin local governments identified community resistance as a barrier to building new housing in Marin. MEHC has been awarded County funds to develop an education program to address this community resistance. We plan to release this program in 2024. 
Housing element oversight. Five of the 12 local Marin governments have their housing elements approved, and several more are getting close. In 2024, we will transition to oversight of the implementation of the housing elements.
By the way, we also had fun this year…   

Last month, MEHC’s annual Friendraiser brought together housing advocates, decision-makers, and key influencers at the beautiful Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael. North Marin Supervisor Eric Lucan discussed affordable housing opportunities and progress in Marin, and we rekindled friendships and alliances. 
Happy holidays
and best wishes
for the new year!

Many Marin workers, employers, residents and nonprofits greatly appreciate MEHC’s work in support of environmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and socially equitable affordable housing. If that includes you, please consider a tax-deductible donation to MEHC to help us keep working.

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